Magneto-Inertial Fusion and Powerful Plasma Installations (A Review)

Abstract

A review of theoretical and experimental studies in the field of compression and heating of a plasma target in an external magnetic field, which has recently been called magneto-inertial fusion (MIF), has been carried out. MIF is a concept of magnetically driven inertial fusion that involves the magnetization of fuel, laser pre-heating, and magnetic implosion to create fusion conditions. An analysis of the current state of work on the implosion of magnetized targets and the effect of an external magnetic field on the main plasma parameters and system characteristics is presented. Questions regarding the numerical simulation of experiments on the magnetic-inertial confinement of plasma are touched upon. Particular attention is paid to two promising areas of MIF—with plasma jets and with a laser driver (laser beams).